🌱 Transgender Care Bill + Forsyth County Address + Heavy Truck Bill

Good morning, friends! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Wednesday started off right, with a quick review of the most important things happening in town these days. In this issue, you'll learn about:

• Georgia law bans transgender operations and hormone treatments for minors.
• Forsyth County Address given by Alfred John with the theme "Forsyth County Delivers."
• New Heavy Truck Bill going to Governor's desk for approval.

But first, today's weather:

Some sun, then clouds; warm. High: 84 Low: 63.

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Here are the top 5 stories in and around Cumming today:

1. Senators Albers and Beach from nearby Roswell and Alpharetta co-sponsored a law banning certain transgender care, which was signed by Gov. Kemp. This will mean transgender minors in Georgia will not be able to have reassignment surgeries or hormone therapies before the age of 18. Individuals who have already receiving hormones will still be able to continue those treatments and puberty blockers will still be legal. Beach believes that minors are not ready to be making life-altering decisions that are permanent, and this bill helps prevent that. Others in the state who oppose the bill have been speaking out in the past few weeks since the passing of the bill. They believe that this will have negative physical and mental consequences on transgender youth. Anna Baxter, a counselor who has worked with transgender kids for 8 years, says some of them would not be alive today without hormone treatment. (Appen Media)
2. Alfred John delivered the 2023 State Of Forsyth County Address on Mar. 28 with the theme of "Forsyth County Delivers." In the address, he highlighted five areas in which Forsyth County delivers: a brighter future, a safe community, economic prosperity, infrastructure for growth, and good financial stewardship. The annual event is a way for the community to be updated on all the accomplishments over the past year and get a look into what agendas will be focused on for the future year. You can find the video of the address here. (Press Release Desk)
3. Epcon Communities, an Ohio-based homebuilder company continues their Atlanta expansion, hiring two new employees: Steve Karp and Lora Golliday-Gonzales. They will be taking up the regional purchasing manager and regional sales manager positions as the company puts its roots down in Atlanta. Epcon already has two communities under development, one of them right here in Cumming, that will be called The Courtyards of Franklin Goldmine. (Atlanta Agent magazine)
4. Georgia lawmakers approved a heavy truck bill that will allow up to 80,000-pound loads on State and County Roads. After much debate, this law has now made it to the governor's office and is awaiting approval. The changes the bill would make will require weight limit signs to be posted on load restrictions on 1,400 bridges around the state. While the bill would be positive for shipper and the agriculture industry allowing them to ship larger loads, higher weights on county roads will cause more wear and tear on roadways. The amount of maintenance that will be needed on roads will increase maintenance expenditure by millions of dollars more than what is spent now. (Land Line Media)
5. TenMed Wound Care & Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has a new location in the area. TenMed is a leading provider in wound care using various new treatments like oxygen therapies and traditional treatments; staff are equipped to handle burns, wounds, bites, and infected wounds. The new clinic is located at 2575 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 250, Cumming in the former Johns Creek Hyperbaric & Wound Care Center. Appointments can be made by calling this number (770) 884-1880. (Benzinga)

Today in Cumming:

• Books & Babies - Cumming Library (10:00 AM)
• Folks At the Oaks, An Intergenerational Program For Families And Seniors - The Oaks At Hampton Park (10:00 AM)
• Pilkey Party! - Post Road Library (2:00 PM)
• American Red Cross Blood Drive - Sharon Forks Library (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office posted in remembrance of Deputy First Class Spencer Englett yesterday after his passing during a training exercise four years ago. The deputy served with honor and distinction and was highly respected amongst the department and the community for which he served. (Forsyth County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• The new 369 overpass opened yesterday to east-west bound traffic. Traffic shifts were scheduled for overnight last night beginning at 9 p.m. For 15 days, there will be subsequent alternate routes set up depending on which direction your traveling as crews finish up their work on the overpass. Details for closures, pattern shifts, and alternate routes can be found here. (Forsyth County Georgia Government via Facebook)
• Forsyth County's "Relay For Your Life" will be held on Apr. 14. The event will be supporting cancer causes and will be held at Cumming City Center. (Relay For Life of Forsyth County, GA via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.